Boxelder Maple
Acer negundo
Boxelder Maple (Acer negundo) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Box elder is weedy and brittle, best avoided in landscape settings; reseeds aggressively.
Photos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Acer negundo
- Variety / cultivar
- Boxelder 'Sensation'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- high
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- riparian, foothills
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Boxelder Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Boxelder Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Boxelder Maple get?
- It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Boxelder Maple need?
- Give Boxelder Maple about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Boxelder Maple grow into?
- Boxelder Maple typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Boxelder Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Boxelder Maple is hardy in USDA 2–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Boxelder Maple need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Boxelder Maple grow?
- Boxelder Maple is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Boxelder Maple live?
- Boxelder Maple is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Boxelder Maple turn in fall?
- Boxelder Maple turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Boxelder Maple native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Boxelder Maple deer-resistant?
- No. Boxelder Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Boxelder Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Boxelder Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
